The National Judicial Council on Friday announced the recommendation of two High court judges for dismissal and compulsory retirement due to various acts of Misconduct. The judges are of Justice Ugbo Ononogbo, of the Abia state High court and Justice Nasir Gunmi, of Zamfar state high court.

NJC also issued a warned Justice D. O. Oluwayemi of the Lagos State Judiciary for granting an ex-parte order in Suit No: LD/2393LMW/16 “relying on an affidavit of urgency which disclosed no threat of destruction of rights, or interest, in the subject matter of the dispute without putting the other party on notice.” and Justice M. A. Savage of High Court of Lagos State, “for holding discussion with complainant’s counsel in Suit No: LD/179/2000, which he had judicially acted upon, and for serving as a bridge between him and the other party’s counsel.”

Acting Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye who read out the statement on behalf of the Acting CJN said that NJC reached into cognisance to take the actions at its 80th meeting held between December 14 and 15.

In the case of Justice Gunmi, the NJC recommended the judge to Zamfara State Governor, Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar, for compulsory retirement for failing to deliver Chiroma Vs Forte Oil Plc, almost 23 months after the final addresses by counsel.

Apart from recommending the dismissal of Justice Ononogbo to the Governor of Abia State, “the Council also recommended that the Hon. Judge, the Assistant Chief Registrar, Probate Division of Abia State High Court, Udeka N. C., and E. M. Ojiako, Esq., be handed over to the police for investigation.”

“Council also decided to report E. M. Ojiako, Esq, to the Nigeria Bar Association’s Disciplinary Committee for investigation and that Abia State Judicial Service Commission should take appropriate action against Udeka N. C., the Assistant Chief Registrar, Probate Division after investigation of the allegations,” the statement read in part.

The allegations against Justices Ononogbo and Gunmi constituted misconduct contrary to Sections 294 (1) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and Rules 3 (i), 11(ii) and 2 of the National Judicial Council Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

http://www.guruspotblog.com.ng/2016/12/njc-recommends-2-ailing-judges